William James Hughes

William James Hughes passed to life beyond on June 12, 2010. William J. "Bill" Hughes was born on February 21, 1935 in Kansas City, Kansas to William E. and Margaret Ellen Davis Hughes. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1953 (where he was a loyal member of the RFA). He was active in Grandview Christian Church in Kansas City, KS. He continued his education at Kansas City Community College and University of Kansas until 1955, when he became a Naval aviation cadet in pilot training in Pensacola, Florida. Upon leaving the Navy, Bill continued his education and earned his B.S. Degree from Emporia State. He taught in the Kansas City and Washington High School Districts before returning to K.U., where he obtained his Masters Degree in clinical social work in 1963. He served as Assistant Director of Ozanam Boys Home and Director of Gillis Children's Treatment Program in Kansas City before moving with his family in 1969 to become the Executive Director of Colorado Springs Family Counseling Program. This program merged with the Colorado Springs Mental Health Center to form the Pikes Peak Mental Health Center where he became the Associate Director. In 1975 Bill was elected to the

Colorado State Senate. During his tenure, he served as chairman of the Joint Budget committee as well as chair of the Health Welfare and Institution Committee. In 1980, he was co-chair of the 1980 Colorado delegation to the nominating convention in Dallas, TX. Upon leaving the legislature, he became a lobbyist before becoming the Executive Director of the Colorado Railroad Association where he retired in 2000. Bill was a loving husband to his wife, Catherine Kenny Hughes, MD, and inspiration to his three daughters, Kathy Hughes-Garcia, of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Hughes-Swank of Englewood, CO, and Betsy

Hughes of Volin, SD. Bill also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Brad, Bryan, Elise, Hilary, Sarah, Carson, Nolan and Molly. Bill is also survived by his brothers, Robert Hughes of Colorado Springs, and Skip Hughes of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his dear sister, Mona Jean Hughes of Kansas City, KS, and his parents, William and Margaret Hughes of Kansas City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, donation to charity of choice or Dominican University of Nigeria Development Fund c/o Dr. Henry J. Kenny, 1428 Lady Bird Dr., McLean, VA 22101. A memorial service will be on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd, Littleton, CO 80121.